Daming: I am the Crown Prince

Old Zhu was basically accustomed to Zhu Yunhuan's love of talking back, especially since it had been like this for the past few years.

This child did not become like this only after he became the crown prince or the emperor. When he was competing with Yunwen, and even when he was not favored at that time, he dared to talk back to him in person.

Once you get used to it, Old Zhu doesn't care about these things, but it's only limited to his grandson, and only this grandson. Others can't do that. If others dare to talk back, it's disobedience.

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Old Zhu and said sarcastically, "Grandfather, I don't know what happened in the court yet, but you can be said to have known it a long time ago."

Old Zhu said disapprovingly, "It happened right before us, maybe you knew about it earlier than us."

"I just thought these things were really interesting. Before things were resolved, others wanted to benefit from it." Zhu Yunhuan said helplessly, "Now it seems that I underestimated people's greed."

Old Zhu smiled and said, "That's not the case. We have expected such things to happen. Your father was also angry about the empty seal case and the Guo Huan case, but it's inevitable that it will happen."

In the final analysis, some things happened before, will happen now, and may continue to happen in the future. These are the most realistic situations.

Zhu Yunhuan naturally understood these principles and didn't even think there was anything strange about them. He knew that some things would happen sooner or later, but he didn't expect it to happen so early.

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunhuan and asked with a smile, "You don't look too angry, so you guessed it?"

Zhu Yunhuan was even more depressed. "I guessed a little, but I thought it would take four or five years. After the fleet has gone out to sea two or three times, everyone will have some experience, and then we can start the competition. Now it's all right, let's start right away!"

Old Zhu could only helplessly say, "I went out to sea two years ago and brought back a lot of things. Those people don't think about the long term, so they'll talk about it now that they can get some benefits."

Zhu Yunhuan said very depressedly, "The last time I went to sea, it still doesn't count. After all, I did it in private by relying on my grandfather's favor. I wanted to start on the right track from this time, but these things happened."

He was really depressed, but Zhu Yunhuan also knew that some things still needed to be moved forward, and there was no doubt about that.

Naturally, he would not be so angry as to stop maritime trade and the Maritime Customs Office directly because of some of the things that are happening now. He can't just throw the baby out with the bathwater!

Although there have indeed been some minor changes now, this will obviously not change Zhu Yunhuan's determination. The policy of maritime trade must continue to be promoted.

Old Zhu looked at Zhu Yunhuan and asked, "Yunhuan, we have been talking for a long time, and now you are only thinking about dealing with these things? Send the children away, and don't say anything else?"

Zhu Yunxun was puzzled and didn't understand. "Isn't it just to discuss these things? Is there something else I don't know?"

"You are the emperor!" Old Zhu was instantly disappointed. "When these things happen, you naturally need to deal with them. As for how to deal with them, I think you know it in your heart. The law is there, and you understand it in your heart!"

Zhu Yunhuan naturally nodded repeatedly. He understood these principles. No one would be happy if such things happened, but it was not enough to make him panic or cause major turmoil.

Whether it was corruption or a conspiracy, these were actually not that difficult to deal with, and Zhu Yunhuan also knew how to deal with such matters.

In the final analysis, there are precedents. Although there seemed to be no cases caused by maritime trade in the past, there were examples of corruption and malfeasance, and they could be dealt with according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty.

Old Zhu said helplessly, "Our emperor knows everything now, can you feel at ease? Tell me yourself, what are you and Miao Jin busy with now? There are leaks all over the palace!"

Zhu Yunhuan was puzzled and confused, "Grandfather, this is not right, right? There is no need to hide these things. When I was the crown prince, didn't you hide it from me?"

"How can it be the same?" Old Zhu's voice became higher. "Back then you were the crown prince, we gave you power and trained you. Now you are the emperor, you have to hold the power in your hands, and no one else can touch it!"

Zhu Yunhuan thought about it and probably understood what Old Zhu meant. "I'm afraid I can't always guard against you, right? There are some things I still rely on you to come forward, so that I can offend fewer people."

After hearing what Zhu Yunhuan said, Zhu was speechless. However, he did intend to step in on some matters once. If he were to handle the matter, it would be more legitimate and effective, and it would also be a kind of protection for Yunhuan.

Zhu Yunhuan continued, "I don't think there's any need to be on guard. Forget about the others, but don't be on guard against our grandson. I'm also thinking that when Wen Yao grows up, I should delegate power to him."

Old Zhu immediately said seriously, "That's right. It's fine for other heirs, but when Wen Yao grows up, you have to make him look different from the other princes. He is the crown prince of our Ming Dynasty, the youngest, and everyone must know it!"

This is what Old Zhu really thinks. He doesn’t need to worry too much about other people for the time being, but his precious great-grandson should be the most special one.

As for the selection of the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang has always been a staunch supporter of the system of primogeniture. The reason why he likes Zhu Wenyao so much is naturally because he is the primogeniture and will be the next crown prince and emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yunhuan smiled and said, "I think so too. I will appoint him as the crown prince when he is ten years old. I will give him the necessary training and delegate power to him so that he won't think too much."

Old Zhu suddenly felt that there were some topics that could not be discussed any further. If he continued to instigate Zhu Yunhuan to take further power, he would be setting a trap for Zhu Wenyao, which seemed a little inappropriate.

Thinking of this, Old Zhu couldn't help but feel a little angry. His grandson was good in every way except being too nice to his family members. He didn't even know how to be on guard against his family members.

If Yunhu had simply cleaned up the palace, leaving him ignorant of everything and uninformed about what was going on inside and outside the court, Zhu Yuanzhang would probably have been sulking, thinking that his grandson had too many concerns now that he was the emperor.

Although doing so may make people feel upset, as a person who has been an emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang can naturally understand it. Everything is based on the Ming Dynasty, so this is not a big deal.

But now Yunhuan is really not on guard at all. Old Zhu is still happy about Zhu Yunhuan's filial piety, but this is not what an emperor should do.

Under such circumstances, Old Zhu felt helpless. Zhu Yunhuan was even more speechless, because no matter what he did, there would be mistakes. So let's just be more straightforward and optimistic. Some of his current practices have many merits no matter how you look at them. This is obviously a reason to be happy.

Old Zhu no longer bothered about other things and asked, "I won't say much about those court officials. Now that I am not the emperor, it is difficult to deal with them. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you as the emperor."

Zhu Yunhuan nodded repeatedly and said, "I think so too. No matter if they are from the six ministries, the five military governors' offices, or the provincial government offices, since these people have committed crimes, they will naturally be punished according to the law and will not be forgiven!"

Old Zhu naturally approves of this approach. He hates corrupt officials and will not show any mercy to them. He will naturally punish them severely.

Old Zhu then said with some concern, "Logically speaking, it would be best for you to deal with your uncles. If I step in, people will think that I am backing down and that I am in charge of the government."

Zhu Yunhuan was very generous and said with a smile, "It's nothing. Grandfather has a high prestige. No matter how powerful I am, others don't think I can compare to you, the founding emperor."

Old Zhu also thought it made sense. In fact, he had been unwilling to contact court officials since he abdicated. He was afraid that people outside would think that he, the emperor emeritus, still controlled the government, which would not be good for Zhu Yunhuan.

But no matter what, he was the founding emperor. Not only among his ministers, but also among the people he enjoyed huge prestige.

As for Li Yuan, he was also the retired emperor, the situation was different. The previous succession was a formal succession, but it did not go through the Xuanwu Gate incident. It was impossible for the Xuanwu Gate incident to happen in Zhu Yuanzhang's hands.

Old Zhu continued, "Well, uncles, let us punish them this time. But you are the emperor after all, so you can't just ignore everything."

Zhu Yunxun said quickly, "Of course. If grandpa takes care of everything, my uncles will have to worry about it. They respect me now, but they have to think about the future."

Upon hearing Zhu Yunhuan's answer, Zhu was very pleased, as this was what he was most worried about before.

In his opinion, it doesn't matter whether to delegate power or not, and what he knows and shouldn't know is not a big deal. There is really nothing to care about.

What Zhu Yuanzhang was most worried about was that if anything involved the royal family, he would be the one to resolve it. This would naturally save him a lot of worry and also maintain Zhu Yunhuan's reputation.

But he was worried that when he was gone, his sons would lose their restraint and would no longer be afraid of Zhu Yunhuan.

It would be bad if such situations really happened. This is also a knot in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart now. He is thinking about finding a suitable opportunity to let Zhu Yunhuan punish some vassal kings.

The bottom line is that as an emperor, one cannot just be good to the royal family all the time. That may not be really good. Instead, it may harm the princes, which is not a good thing for the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yunhuan also continued, "I had previously handed over Ji Hui and a few others, but it was actually just a warning. They were all cunning, and they pushed the blame away one by one, saying it had nothing to do with their palace or their uncles."

Hearing what Zhu Yunhuan said, Old Zhu also laughed, "After all, we studied and grew up together, and our methods of doing things seem to be similar. These guys are also smart and filial."

This is a typical example of Zhu's double standards. He always sees some advantages in his own descendants, and these advantages even directly cover up the shortcomings.

As for the more extreme ones who can only see the advantages and not the disadvantages, this also happens. This is an old man who protects his child to the extreme.

Zhu Yunhuan looked at Zhang Fusheng and said, "Ask the Queen to bring the children over. It's almost time to prepare dinner."

Zhang Fusheng and the others naturally hurried to arrange these things, and now they don't have to be so cautious. As long as the little prince is in the West Palace, there must be a harmonious and warm scene here.

Old Zhu said, "Your second uncle is still a bit useless, so we're going to punish him a bit more severely this time. As for your sixth uncle, we didn't expect him to make such a mistake this time."

"Isn't it because I know that sea trade can make more money? I always think I am the smartest." Zhu Yunhuan said with a smile, "They say that the overseas barbarians have never seen anything, and I think they are so easy to fool."

Old Zhu also smiled and nodded. These people are all smart, but they are not using their intelligence in the right place. They are just thinking about how to trick their nephew. What the hell is going on!
Zhu Yunhuan also continued, "This time it's good. I was thinking of going out to sea a few more times to clean up the Five Military Commandery. Now it's good, there's no need to clean up any more."

Old Zhu also snorted coldly and said, "These nobles are really outrageous. Even though we give them wealth and power, they are still greedy!"

This is naturally the truth. These nobles seem to have everything now, but it is obvious that they also hope to get more, so it is normal for them to have some crooked thoughts for this purpose.

Zhu Yunhuan also added, "The Five Military Commandery actually has no major problems. If we really want to go out to sea in the future, these people will have to follow us. It's not too much to make a little money."

Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang also understood these principles. When going out to sea, there must be a fleet and many soldiers following. If these people made a little money, everyone would just turn a blind eye and it would not be a big deal.

It's just that this time they went a little too far, which is why some soldiers had to be punished. How could they just touch the root? This would be ignoring the laws of the court and military regulations!

Therefore, when the time comes to deal with them, they will be dealt with naturally. There is nothing to discuss about this. Zhu Yunhuan does value meritorious officials, but he will not allow these people to act lawlessly.

Zhu Yunhuan also continued, "The civil officials have been honest this time. They always argued with me before. Now I want to see how these people have the nerve to argue with me about these things."

Old Zhu also said with disdain, "These people are also despicable bones, they must be dealt with! Fighting, these people keep saying benevolence and morality, but what they do is disgusting."

Although it was a generalization, Zhu Yunhuan still agreed with some things.

We really can’t delegate too much power to some civil servants, otherwise they will take advantage of us. Their desires are even stronger than we think! (End of this chapter)